Sarah Corbett Lynch: How diving and the water helped me heal after dad's death

In her new book, Sarah Corbett Lynch writes of the traumatic death of her father. Here, in her own words, she reveals how diving and the water helped her to heal

Sarah Corbett Lynch: The calmness I experience with diving is in stark contrast with the reality of my lived experience

The boat sets off from the pier at Kilkee, County Clare. The freshness of the Summer evening air bites at my cheeks and fingers, a crisp reminder that I am alive, as the chilly spray of the Atlantic Ocean splashes my skin.

The coastline here is nothing short of spectacular: the rugged cliffs, while similar to the famous Cliffs of Moher, offer a more serene alternative, attracting those who appreciate a slower pace than the tourist hot spots. The town is full of welcoming, well-travelled people, like Joe who owns the Oceanlife dive centre, and whose team trained me over the summer months in 2024.